Metal building construction



4` Sheets-Sheet 1 W. VON HOEFEN METAL BUILDING CONSTRUGTIQN Filed July 12, 1937 Jan. 9, 1940.

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METAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed July 12, 1937' 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR WALTER VON HOEFEN BY )A T RNW Jan. 9, 1940. w, VON HOEFEN 2,186,310

' METAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIQN Filed July l2, 1957 4 Sheets-Shea?I 4 |NvENToR` WALTER voN HoEF'EN Patented Jui. 9, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Metal Homes, Inc.. Cl

ration of Ohio Ohio, a pom- Appueation July 12. 1937, serial No. :.104

BCIaiml.

parts while at the same time providing a very vstrong structure.

Another object of the present invention is'to provide prefabricated wall panels of novel form 10 adapted to be assembled in place in the building with a minimum number of operations and fastenings and with a maximum strength in the nished structure.

My invention also provides a novel construction between iioors whereby the joists for the upper floor are supported upon the walls of the lower iioor. in a novel manner and the structure which houses the joist ends also supports the wall for the upper floor. In this connection a novel box beam structure is provided of the same depth as the joists which forms a very strong support for the upper story wall and at the same time forms a novel container for insulation.

My invention also provides novel wall corner members which are adapted also to combine with the above mentioned panels so that when the corner members and panels are placed side by s ide they form a vertical wall structure extending completely around a. building having any usual wall conformation.

My invention also provides novel -roof stru tures adapted to be combined with the wall and floor structure mentioned above. My invention also comprises novel forms of structural members entering into the structures outlined in the preceding paragraphs and novel means for assembling and securing the same in place all as will more clearly appear in the accompanying drawings and specifications and the essential features of which will be set forth in the claims.

' In the drawings,

Fig. 1 isa sectional elevation in perspective showing portions of the foundation, walls and floors of a multiple story building surmounted by a gabled roof structure;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the lower por-y tion of a vertical wall adapted to rest upon a building foundation;

Fig. 3 is a view of afoundation suitable to support the wall of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 and shows the `lower portion of the wall of an upper story;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing-a betweenfloors construction;

65 Fig. 6 is a perspective viewl of the upper por- (cl. iss- 1) l tion of the vertical wall of a lower oor, the parts of Figs. 4, 5 and 6 being adapted to fit together although not necessarily assembled in the form shown;

Fig. 'I is a perspective view of one 'of the mem- 5 bers oi Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is similar to a corner portion of Fig. 6 showing an alternative form of construction;

Fig. 9 is a sectional elevation of a' single story building showing certain modifications in the 10 wall, ceiling and roof structure;

Fig. 10 shows a form of corner construction for an interior building corner;

Fig. 11 -is an outer side elevation of a two story building formed of my novel building units; 15

while Fig. 12 shows a suitable arrangement of Joist structure between floors.

One of the novel features of my building structure is the novel panels which form the vertical 20 walls. 'I'hese panels are adapted to be preformed so that the major portion of the formation of the vertical walls may be performed in the shop and the units assembled on the job. These panels are preferably channel shape in horizontalsec- 25 tion and preferably bent from a single sheet of metal. The preferred form is best seen in Figs.

1, 2, 4 and 6. Each panel I5 has a web I6 and anges l1 at right angles thereto. These panels are assembled in the building with their webs $0 alined along the outer wall surface and their flanges in contact and secured together. The interior wall is then secured to the free edges of the flanges. Preferably the free edges of the flanges are bent back parallel to the web I5 as 86 shown at I8 so as to provide additional stngth in the panel and to give a better means for securing the tie members, cap members and interior wall to the panels.

Extending longitudinally of the central por- 40 tion of each ange I1 is a rib-like deformation I9 extending inwardly from the outer face of the flange. When the panels are placed'injuxtaposition the deformations I9 of adjacent anges register'forming a pocket between them. lBefore 4.5 assembling the panels these deformations are lied with a metal cement. A suitable cement for this purpose where the panels are formed of steel, is a commercial cement known as Hytempite.". When the panels are assembled a's 50 shown in Figs. 1 and 4, they are held together by bolts 20 but very quickly the cement in the pockets 2l between the rib-like deformations hardens and forms a continuous bond extending the entire length of the anges of each panel,

at the same time forming a weatherproof joint at this point. It will be noted that the panels are formed oi.' a length corresponding to the height of a single story of a building to be constructed and that the ends of the panels are substantially sealed by the cap members 22 and 23 in the case of a lower story and 24 and 25 in the case of an upper story. The member 22 at the bottom of a lower story panel is of substantially Z-shape having a web 22a closing the bottom of the panel, an outer ilange 22h spot welded to the web I6 of its associated panel, and an inner ilange 22e either spot welded or secured by bolts to the iiange portions I8 of the associated panel. The members 23 and 25 are alike and the member 24 is similar except that it is turned in the opposite direction. These members have outer anges having the suiilx b, spot welded to the web of the associated panel and inner ilanges having the suiilx c secured to the panel iiange portions I8 either by welding or by bolts. In the form shown in Figs. 2, 4' and 6, the panel ilanges Il are cut away at the ends for the thickness of a sheet of metal permitting the webs (having the suiiix a) of the cap members to abut thus effectively sealing the ends of the panels. In the form shown in Fig. 8, the cap member web 23a ends at A the rib I9 which substantially seals the ends of the panels but leaves a slight opening in this form of construction.

The corner column construction as shown in Figs. 2,'4 and 6 comprises an inner angle section 26 and an outer angle section 2l spaced apart' with their legs allned respectively alongV the inner and outer walls of the building. These angle sections are preferably of the height of one story and are rigidly tied together either by the plate members 23 welded in place as illustrated at spaced points along the column or by strap members or the like in similar locations. This corner column is united with a corner plate 29 to form a wall corner member adapted to combine with the previously described panels to form a complete wall. 'I'he plate member 29 has ila-nge portions 30 in all respects similar to the flange portions I'l of the panels. While the corner columns are shown in position ior an exterior corner of the building, the same structure serves for the interior corner by simply securing a plate 3l to the angle 26 instead of to the angle 2l. This form of corner member is shown in Fig. 10.

I prefer to assemble each panel with its end or cap members in the shop and likewise each corner member as I have described it. These members after assembly may be dipped in a ground coating, then sprayed with enamel and baked to provide any desired finish and to make them rust-proof. I do not limit myself to this method of finishing, however, as it will occur to those skilled in this art that many other types of iinish may be applied to the structure here shown.

In forming a building upon a proper site, the foundation wall 32 oi any suitable form is built and means provided on the top of the wall to secure my novel panels and corner members thereto. In the form shown, upon a concrete foundation I have secured a channel 33 with the anges turned: downwardly and punched to accommodate suitable bolts such as 34 and 35 by which the wall structure may be secured to the foundation. Joists 36 for supporting the first iloor are suitably supported in the foundation as for instance by the chairs 31 formed of angle sections welded to the channel 33. The panels and corner members are then assembled :in side by side relationship forming the vertical side walls oi the building, each having a rib I3 filled with cement as previously described before being placed in position and then being secured to the channel 33 by the bolts 35. Preferably at the joint A a .white rubber latex is applied for weatherproofing purposes and a caulking cement may be applied at the point B as illustrated in Fig. l for a similar purpose. A tie member 38 fastened by bolts in the bolt holes 39,' as shown, securely and rigidly fastens together the lower ends of all of the panels and corner members. These tie members may be mitered at the corners as shown in Figs. 3 and 5. If desired, the bolts in the openings 39 may also pass through the openings 40 of the cap members 22 so as to secure those in place.

Where the building is of one story as illustrated in Fig. 9, a suitable roof structure may be superimposed upon the side walls as shown and described. In such a case a bearing plate 4I extends across the tops of the assembled panels and corner members and upon this rest the joists 42 supporting the roof. A tie member 43 issecured to the tops of all oi the panels and corner members and secured to the plate 4|, thus rigidly tying the structure together. Preferably the plate 4| has a portion 4la bent upwardly to form an outer wall surface of the depth of the joist 42 and this plate may extend upwardly as shown to form a iinishing cornice. Spaced from the plate 4Ia is a shallow channel 44 iilling the space between the joists and the space between 41a and 44 may receive a loose insulating material. On the joists 42 any suitable roof is supplied, that illustrated comprising a bent metal plate 45 having strengthening ribs as shown which is iilled preferablywith an insulating concrete 46 on top of which is further .insulating material 41 and a sealing cover 48.

The cornice may be capped as shown at 49 and the joint caulked at 56.

Where a multiple story building is to be formed, I show a between-door construction in Figs. 1 and 5. 0n top of the panels and corner members is a bearing plate 6ta which is preferably the lower flange of a deep channel 6I which has a web 6lb forming an outer wall surface and an upper flange 61e. This deep channel mayextend entirely around the structure and forms both a sealing means and a tie plate for the wall below it and a bearing plate for the joists resting upon it. Suitable joists of channel form are shown at 62 of adepth adapted to iit snugly between the lianges 6Ia and Slc of the deep channel. These joists rest upon the flange 6la and are supported by the wall structure therebeneath. The iianges oi' the joists 62 are secured by suitable bolts 63 to the anges Bla. and 6ic and to the cap members 23 and 24. Bolt holes 63a are provided for this purpose. Spaced from the web 6Ib are iiller plates 64 extending between the joists and entirely around the buildingand preferably in the form of a shallow channel as shown. These are secured to the deep channel by bolts 65 through holes 65a so that with the deep channel 6I a box beam or girder is formed making a strong support for the superstructure above it. At the same time the deep channel 6l houses and iinishes oil' the space otherwise required for the joists 62 and also gives a convenient space housing insulation 66 which may be any suitable form oi' insulation. Ma, Figs. 5 and 7, shows the manner in which the member 64 may have the flanges cut away to permit the web to iit snugly within the joists 62.

An upper story wall may then be assembled resting upon the flange Gle of the deep channel and supported by the box beam structure just described. The walls of the upper story are formed in a manner entirely analogous to that of the lower story already described. Preferably a white rubber latex is applied at the points' C, D and E for weatherprooflng purposes. 'Iie members 51 and 68 are secured along the bottom and top respectively of the panels and corner members forming the upper wall. 'I'hese tie members are also secured by bolts 65 to the box beam and joists.

A gable roof structure is illustrated in Fig. 1 wherein a bearing plate 68 extends along the top of the second story wall and this plate is bent outwardly at as shown toyform a cornice. Joists 1I resting on plate 68 and bolted to the plate and wall structure support the roof. This roof may be of any suitableiorm, that shown having rafters 12 and a bent plate purlin structure 13 illled with an insulatingcement 14 and surmounted by the roof cover 15.

The interior floors, walls and ceilings may be of any desired type, several of which are shown. In Fig. 1 on the joists 36 and 62 is metallic ooring 15 iilled with an insulating cement 11 upon which is mastic 18 in which is set a floor 19. At points F (Figs. 1 and 3) a latex sound insulating cushion is provided. The walls and ceiling are of a wall board 80 preferably having insulating properties and it may be metal clad as at 8|. 'I'he anges I8 may be drilled as at |8a for attachment of the interior iinish wall. Suitable baseboards 82 and moldings 83 may be applied. I f desired between floors insulation 84 may be' applied between the ceiling of the rst iioor and the floor above it. As the panels are assembled as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 6, they are open toward the interior of the building and before the interior wall finish is applied insulation may be supplied at these points as indicated at 85. This insulation may be of any desired form, but web material which may be of the entire length of the panel and folded therein is suitable for this purpose. The floor structure shown in Fig. 9 shows a diierent form of metal flooring 86 and indicates wooden beams at 81 and 88 bolted to the metal structure and forming means for securing the floors and wall members in place. In this structure the interior wall is of the usual plaster nish 89.

An arrangement of joists suitable between floors is shown in Fig. 12 where the joists 62 nearest the parallel side walls have abutting them at right angles the joists 62a welded to the joists 62 at one end and entering the box beam structure lil-64 at their other ends.

It will be understood that my entire building may be built of metal of comparatively light gage. For instance, the panels may be formed of 16 gage steel, the deep channel 6| of 14 gage, and the joists 62 of 10 gage. With these comparatively light metal parts formed and assembled as shown an exceedingly strong building structure is provided.

While nothing has been said herein as to doors and windows, it will be understood that special panels are provided for this purpose which are merely modifications of the panels l5 here described.

What I claim is:

l. In metal house construction, wall corner members having spaced vertically extending 90 angle sections with their legs respectively parallel and substantially in alinement with the inner and outer faces of the wall, tie members rigidly connecting said angles, a plate forming the outer wall surface secured to the legs of said outer angle section, said plate extending along each outer wall from'said corner and each end of said plate then being bent inwardly substantially at right angles to said outer wall, said bent portions continuing inwardly for substantially the thickness of said wall.

2. In metal house construction, a vertical side wall comprising'corner members having spaced vertically extending 90 angle sections with their legs respectively parallel and substantially in alinement with the inner and outer faces of the wall, tie members rigidly connecting said angles, a plate forming the outer wall surface secured to the legs of said outer angle section, said plate extending along each outer wall from said corner and each end of said plate then being bent inwardly substantially at right angles to said outer wall, said bent portions continuing inwardly for substantially the thickness of said wall, panels channel shape in horizontal section, said panels and corner members being placed side by side to form a continuous wall with corners, said panels adjacent said corner members having their ilanges contiguous with the bent plate portions of the corner members, other panels being placed ange to iiange, and all of said panels and corner members being rigidly secured together.

3. Metal house construction as in claim 2,

wherein all of said corner members and panels v are of one story height, an interior wall extending between the inner angle legsy of the corner members and the bent portions thereof and extending across said panels and secured to the inner edges of the iianges of said panels, and means substantially closingthe open ends of said panels and corner members, top and bottom.

4. Ina metal house, between-floors construction comprising a bcx beam resting upon a lower story vertical side wall, a plurality of joists of a depth equal to the interior vertical dimension of said beam, said joists entering said beam at spaced points and resting on the lower flange thereof and secured thereto, and an upper story vertical side wall resting upon said beam.

5. Insulated metal house construction comprising lower and upper story side walls each having a plurality of panels generally channel shape in horizontal section secured fiange to ilange with their webs alined along the outer wall surface, means substantially closing the tops and bottoms of said panels, interior walls secured to the free edges of said anges and closing the inner sides of said panels, a deep channel with its web vertical and toward the outside and having its lower iiange resting upon the top of said lower story wall and having the upper story wall resting upon its upper iiange, joists entering said deep channel and fitting snugly between the flanges thereof and secured thereto, plate members parallel to said deep channel web and extending between said joists whereby to form with said deep channel substantially a box beam, and insulating material in said box beam and in said panels.

6. In metal building construction, a wall comprising a plurality of panels generally channel shape in section placed flange to ange, each panel having a rib-like deformation extending inwardly from the outer i'ace of each flange and extending longitudinally of the flange, said deformations on contiguous ilanges being in register, and a metal bonding cement in said deformations adhesively securing said ilanges together.

7. In metal building construction, a wall comprising a plurality of metal panels generally channel shape in section placed flange to flange, at least one of said panels having deformations extending inwardly from the outer face of its ange, and a metal bonding cement in said deformations adhesively securing contiguous ilanges together. Y

8. In metal building construction, a wall comprising a plurality', oi metal panels generally channel shape in 'section placed flange to ilange, at least one ange of each pair of contiguous flanges being inwardly deformed over substantially the full length oi the panel, and a metal bonding cement held by said deformed :Bange and adhesively securing the contiguous :langes together.

WALTER von HOEFEN. 

